“The book is strong in its vivid and compassionate description of the horrors of the slave trade… history buffs will love The Manor, and it tells a story that needs to be told.” – Washington Post

In 1984, landscape historian Mac Griswold came across Sylvester Manor, the 1650s former plantation on Shelter Island that has been home to 11 generations of the Sylvester family. After years of painstaking research, she tells the story of one of the earliest plantations in the North, dependent for nearly two centuries upon the labor of African-American slaves, Native Americans, and indentured servants. The book ranges from 16th century Europe to 21st century Shelter Island, where the property, still owned by descendants of the original family, continues to operate as a nonprofit educational foundation and organic farm.

Why The Manor?

 The book covers over 300 years of Long Island history and explores the little-known phenomenon of Northern slavery.

 The author resides on Long Island and is available to talk at our author events.

 The Manor is now the Sylvester Manor Educational Farm and the house and gardens are available for tours.

 The subject matter is of interest to a broad range of readers.

 The book is available in hardcover and e-book; the paperback will be available to libraries in March, 2014.